ASSOCIATION FORMALISED IN OFFICIAL TIE-UP WITH SPORTS & YOUTH AFFAIRS DEPTT
GANGTOK, 02 Aug: State Sports Academy [SSA] and Namchi Sports Hostel [NSH] have now become Uro Sikkim United Football Club’s U-17 and U-14 teams respectively. In a tie-up with the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, students of both these academies will now be playing as USFC players in state and national level tournaments. Both these academies have a set of thirty players each at present.
After qualifying for the I-League, it is mandatory for the USFC to have its own U-17 and U-14 teams. The tie-up was announced in a short function held here at Paljor Stadium, which was attended by HRDD Minister, NK Pradhan and Secretary of Sports and Youth Affairs, Karma P Bhutia and USFC co-owner, Bhaichung Bhutia.
Addressing the function, USFC CEO, Bhaichung informed that Nike was the official kit sponsor of the club, so the players of these academies would get the best quality kits similar to what the club’s senior team was getting. The USFC also wants to provide better and wider exposure to these junior teams to encourage them further, he said adding that the U-17 teams would also take part in the U-17 I-League.
The club will bring part time coaches to train these junior teams and also try to send local coaches to train outside, mentioned Bhaichung.
Informing that this tie-up is for a period of 2 years, he expressed hope that it would continue longer. He also shared that the club would not interfere in the selection process of players for these hostels but would provide technical support if required by the department.
Stating that the USFC has signed seven players from the Sports Academy this time, Bhaichung expressed that it was the duty of the club to support the state government’s efforts in promoting the game.
“This tie-up is just the beginning of the process to make Sikkim the most sporting state in the country”, said Bhaichung sharing his dreams to make USFC the best club in the country and to have the best football academy of the nation here in Sikkim.
The club is also in talks with the Sports department to organize an inter-school football tournament on a grand scale with the aim to discover hidden talents from across the state, he informed and added that the club would be providing full support to the department for this purpose.
Addressing the function, Minister NK Pradhan appreciated USFC’s initiative for coming forward to show a better path to young footballers of these academies. “It is great that Bhaichung has come forward to guide, support and help players by providing benefits and exposure”, stated Mr Pradhan.
Urging the young players of the two academies to work hard the Minister said that USFC’s promotion to the I-League was not only a matter of pride for the club but for the entire state.
SYA Secretary, Mr Bhutia mentioned that this tie-up with Bhaichung’s club was a big opportunity for young footballers of the academies to pave the way for a better future. He stated that this tie-up would fill the gaps that the department could not fill in terms of providing better exposure to these players.
The Secretary also urged the players to take good care of the kits provided by the club.
Responding to media queries, Bhaichung said that the academies would play under the USFC banner outside the state and the players would also play for the club in small tournaments across the country. He further added that players from these academies would be trained separately but if recommended by coaches some players would be trained along with the senior team.
On the provision of land by the state government to set up Bhaichung’s academy, the Minister informed that the process was in the final stage and two plots of land at Assam Lingzey and Kitchudumra in South Sikkim had been identified for this purpose.
